Something Greater

Family and Work, Part 3: The Father and the Children Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20 ESV) Children, in the Greek, refers to offspring, regardless of age . It implies a result or something produced. The result of wise decisions is described as being children of wisdom. (Matthew 11:19). The owner of a vineyard had two children, old enough to work in a vineyard (Matthew 21:28). Jesus called his disciples, Children (Mark 10:24). Thus, all children, of any age , are to obey their parents in everything. Obey in the Greek means to listen attentively, implying obedience to a command. This word is related to that used of the woman's submission. Both words use the Greek preposition hypo, meaning under. However, they are distinctly different . The woman's submission to her husband is based upon arrangement . God has placed the husband as the head, and the woman as the helper, as a matter of arrangement an...

Family and Work, Part 2: The Husband Colossians 3:19 Women are commanded to submit to their husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Men are commanded to love their wives , especially avoiding harsh attitudes and actions. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19 ESV) The Greek word translated here as love is best defined as a strong desire for the eternal good for another person . It is a moral love, a long-term view of love, rather than temporary affection or sensual desire. It is based upon the desire to provide the answer to the question: What would be ultimately best for the one I love? It is used for many relationships, not just that of husband and wife: Jesus commanded this type of love for neighbors, enemies, and God Himself: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19 ESV) Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44 ESV) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your s...

Family and Work, Part 1: The Wife Colossians 3:18-25, 4:1 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18 ESV) What do you think? What do you know about the new internet-based social media sites like Facebook or Myspace or Twitter? What has been your experience, good or bad? Paul makes a transition from the general to the specific, from discussing the group of people called the Church, to four distinct relationships : Wife Husband Children Slaves Masters Every person in the world can identify with one or more of these social links. We will see that we are children long past adolescence, and we all are slaves in several imporant respects. We do not commonly use the terms "slaves" and "masters", except in reference to past usage. But these relationships are actually universal and foundational in modern, everyday life. This entire passage flows out of the umbrella statement found in verse 17: And what...